Lots of Third Parties, Oversight Test your knowledge of residential real estate, and answer the following question: Which of the following have the power to force a home seller to make a repair prior to closing? A. The Buyer; B. The Buyer’s home insurance carrier; C. The local municipality; D. The Buyer’s lender. Answer: all...Read More
Only 2 Ways to Wipe the Slate Clean on an Old(er) Listing Once upon a time, misbehaving kids in high school were told that, if they didn’t shape up, their misdeeds “would go on their ‘permanent record.'” Adults know that there’s no such thing (unless you count credit scores). But, there’s something very much like a...Read More
Three Questions to Ask One of the last hurdles for would-be Sellers and their agents to surmount before signing a listing contract often is how to handle prospects who’ve already expressed interest in the home. Sometimes, what appears to be very serious interest. The conversation usually goes something like this: Homeowner: “My neighbor’s daughter/son-in-law’s best...Read More
“Nobody Ever Washed a Rental Car” — Home Inspection Edition Normally, the condition of such things as TV satellite dishes, security systems, and water softeners is very important to home Buyers doing their inspection. After all, if they don’t work, post-closing, it’s the Buyer-now-Owner who’s on the hook.* So, what is the one exception to that? When...Read More
When “Less” Can Be More Every time of year has pluses and minuses for home Buyers and Sellers. The lead-up to a long holiday weekend — in this case, July 4 — is no different. Pluses, from the Buyers’ perspective: –Less competition for homes; less chance of a home that a Buyer wants to see...Read More
Contingency Complications [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.] “Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.” –Garrison Keillor It can be hard enough shepherding one...Read More
